ninja walks quietly to the interview chair and smiles at Kat. He takes out a notebook and begins flipping through it.

Katster sits and waits

Ninja: Okay. First question. The 5 GP one... What brought you to Avlis?

Kat: I was a former UO player. My boyfriend started on Avlis and tried for a year to get me to follow. I fought it but finally agreed to join him.

Ninja: Nice. There are a few couples who play Avlis together. Who does your boyfriend play?

Kat: He played Agatha Dane so I made Gracie Dane to follow him around and annoy him. He has played quite a few others but most recently seen as Dent Davis, hero.

Ninja: Everyone should know Gracie. In fact, I think you won RPotM right? What characters do you play besides Gracie?

Kat: She won twice, I think. I have a vault that rivals NH4. I have played a few alts recently but the only one that has lasted is Alisse Lassesun, although Kia Luellen is around a bit too. Kia was my first real good character.

Ninja: Kat playing a good character? What's next... NecroZombie handing out flowers?

Kat: Ha! I am not sure why I find it harder to play good. I am really a nice person.

Ninja: No doubt. Next question, inspired the way you have played Gracie?

Kat: When I first made her, I had the intention to play her as a barely 18, farm girl meets big city type of girl. It was a lot of fun, such a wide-eyed innocent. I started in Mikona and Agatha was a well known equalizer and she had friends on both sides of the alignment spectrum. I'd say all of Agatha's friends looked out for Gracie. My ignorance at playing NWN probably helped in the perception of true innocence. Having people like Damar, Llyshra, Vanya, Miette, Nikki, and Morran looking out for you sort of pushes you in a direction that may not have been clear at first. She was going to be a TN bard but every choice that came up in game steered her some place new. She started running around with Morran and doing things like learning about traps and locks and sneaking around. It felt natural to take rogue levels at that point. After a while, she spent time with Miette and learned about sorcery and learned about the Dane magic blood line and voila, mage levels. I think every action that she took in character and every person she interacted with has helped create what she is now. That is one thing I love about Avlis, the true character progression.

Ninja: That group of characters is like the Axis of Evil. I want in! It's great that you didn't have a plan for Gracie and let the RP dictact where you went. Some people have a level 40 plan when they first roll up their PC. What keeps you on Avlis?

Kat: The people. Seriously. I play WoW for hack and slash but when I want my roleplay fun, I am on Avlis. I love how in depth the world is with its lore and characters. The world feels alive and I love that it evolves, even if I do not always like the direction as a character.

Ninja: I love the people. Power to them! That keeps me around even though I haven't logged in regularly for over a year. What is your defining moment as a player that you are most proud of?

Kat: Oh wow, that's a tough one.Probably the most defining moment in character was Gracie marrying Morran. It was a stretch for me, being a marriage phobic player, and having my character go that direction. Every aspect of what she would become was shaped by that in character development. Her reactions to the world were always tempered by how the two of them would react. When she was kidnapped by illithid (probably the creepiest roleplay I have ever experienced thanks to Mothandric), I had to really focus on what would keep her going and her faith that he would find her. I think that whole aspect of character is what defines her as she progresses even at level 40.

Ninja: That sounds super creepy, and intense! You were a DM for a time as well. How did that change your view on Avlis when you jumped to the other side of the curtain?

Kat: I was really surprised by how much goes on behind the curtain, the planning, the amount of time spent dealing with people for even a little event, the aftermath of said event, not all of it positive. Everything is discussed and debated. I admit it did tarnish my view of the world for a bit. It was like Dorothy in Oz, seeing the real wizard for the first time. I also realized how little I knew of the world even after all those years of playing. Fortunately it was short lived and my enthusiasm returned. My lack of gaming time is why I left the team, I did not want to become an absentee DM.

Ninja: I'm glad that you know your limits. I had a problem with that occassionally when I wielded the wand. Let's switch gears. What other games do you play?

Kat: I played Avlis 2 but my computer was a bit of a beast so I didn't stick with it. Now that I am super speedy and upgraded, I play WoW. I love Civilization and may play Civ V. I tend to get really involved when I played Civ so I am waiting for a time with little distraction? Apparently I am really into world domination.

Ninja: As you should be. What kind of work do you do?

Kat: I do medical transcription. I sort of stumbled into the work when I lost my job as a graphic designer back when the dot.com bubble burst out here. I get to work from home on my schedule so it allows me a lot of freedom to pursue my photography.

Ninja: Photography is neat. Everyone should have a creative outlet outside of work and relationships. It makes you a better person. See...I knew you were good at heart! Where are you from?

Kat: I totally agree on the creative outlet, if I did not have one I'd go nuts. I am from Michigan originally. I moved to Colorado in 1997 after falling in love with the Rocky Mountains.

Ninja: You and John Denver both! What songs are on your playlist right now?

Kat: Not sure if that makes me sound crazy or not, but I do like a wide variety of music.

Ninja: Bonnie Tyler followed by The Ramones. Yep, that's variety. But variety makes us individuals. Last question, what is something people would love to know about you that isn't gaming related?

Kat: Let's see. I can put my entire fist in my mouth... Okay, I am not sure a lot of people would really want to know that. I love to talk and I really enjoy meeting new people. I always welcome more friends and am a very open person. Anyone needs to hit me up for a chat, feel free. I think I am really an open book so not much hidden.

Ninja: Well thanks for the chat Kat, and we will see you in game!

Interested in being an interviewee or an interviewer for a community interview, send me a PM!Go here for your custom DM item."Mages are over powered" - Spool32, previous head DM, said 300 times during Austin meet.

One of my all-time favorite players, and one of the very first to welcome me to Avlis 6.5 years ago!

FletcherWiki*Stepping out of a portal*Nawen Amakiir: there he is.. *smirks* someone had to make an entranceFletcher Millstone: MILLSTONE! *arms held high*Lilliana Be'letane: You're the worst, Fletcher.

Gracie was always fun IC and always a pleasure to talk with OOC. I am enjoying the interviews also. Keep em up nerd.

Scott

I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice-mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?